Rossi looking for perfect ten
Added on Monday, October 20th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Rossi looking for perfect ten
Valentino Rossi has his sights set on a perfect ten at Valencia next weekend following victory at Sepang.
The world champion claimed his ninth win of the season yesterday in Malaysia to build up a 102 point lead over Casey Stoner with one race remaining and set himself up for a tenth win of the season at Valencia next week.
Having trailed Dani Pedrosa in the early stages of yesterday’s Grand Prix, Rossi passed Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso early on before overtaking Dani Pedrosa at the mid-way point to race ahead to yet another processional victory.
And the Italian, who recorded his 150th podium finish with the result, had his sights set firmly on double figures to complete a memorable season.
“I am so happy with this win today because all of the toughest championship of my career, including with Yamaha in 2004, have been won with nine victories,” said Rossi. “Of course that doesn’t mean I don’t want to win again next week, but for now I like this number!
“Today was incredibly hard because it was so hot. Once I got behind Dani I tried to pass many times but he was very fast and very consistent and I had a good battle to get by him. Lap-by-lap I understood better where it was possible and eventually I could make my move and go away from him.
“Everything worked very well today in such conditions, my M1 and my Bridgestone tyres and I want to thank everyone for making me so fast all weekend. I love winning here because it’s such a great track but today was really a test, especially the last five laps when I really had to make an effort to keep my concentration in such incredible heat. Anyway, it was important to win here because when we came here in the winter I did a very fast race simulation and I promised my new Bridgestone tyre technician, Peter, that we would win the race! I took a gamble in February so I had to win today!
“Finally I want to congratulate my friend Marco Simoncelli for winning the 250cc World Championship today. I know how hard he has worked to get here and he really deserves it – I am very happy for him.”
